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Church · Lucca, Toscana
Chiesa di San Michele in Foro
Romanesque church on the site of the ancient Roman forum, with a very tall façade of marble arcades and the statue of the archangel Michael on top.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Chiesa di San Michele in Foro
The Chiesa di San Michele in Foro stands in the square of the same name, where the forum of Roman Lucca once stood. The present church was built from the 12th century onwards and is one of the major examples of Romanesque architecture in Lucca and Pisa.
The highlight is the façade, far taller than the nave behind it: four tiers of galleries of small marble columns, each with different decoration, featuring animal figures, geometric motifs and inlays of coloured stone. At the top a large statue of the archangel Michael with bronze wings seems to hover over the square.
The interior is more restrained, with three naves, and houses a painting by Filippino Lippi of four saints and a Madonna attributed to Andrea della Robbia.
The square around it, the Piazza San Michele, is one of the busiest in the centre, with cafés and palaces, and is the point where the main streets of the old city meet.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
15 to 30 minutes.
Best time
Late in the afternoon, when the sun lights up the marble façade. Check mass times before entering.
How to get there
It's on the Piazza San Michele, in the centre, about a 15-minute walk from the station and 5 minutes from the Duomo.
Tip
Step back to the edge of the square to see the whole façade with the archangel on top. Puccini's birthplace is just behind, in the Corte San Lorenzo.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Chiesa di San Michele in Foro
Why is the church called in Foro?
Because it was built on the site of Lucca's ancient Roman forum, the city's central square in Antiquity.
Why is the façade so tall?
The façade was raised far above the nave's roof to impress those arriving in the square. Behind it, the upper part is not actually part of the church.
Is there an admission fee?
No, entrance to the church is free. It is a place of worship: appropriate clothing and silence during masses.